Proteus

August 29, 2017

100-foot
Experimental Vessel

Built in 2006

Based at Richmond

The WAM-V rides on two narrow, inflatible hulls, with the cabin poised high above the water between the hulls. There's an engine pod, which can be easily swapped out for another, attached to the back of each hull. The cabin hangs from the superstructure high above them. The titanium and aluminum structure is not rigid but is made up of springs, shock absorbers, and ball joints that provide flexibility. The makers claim a range of up to 5,000 miles, very low fuel consumption, low draft (16 inches at half load), and minimal wake even at high speed.